2026 Samford Bulldogs football team

The 2026 Samford Bulldogs football team represent Samford University as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 2026 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bulldogs play their home games at Pete Hanna Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.

ConferenceSouthern Conference

Record1–5 (1–2 SoCon)

Headcoach

John Grass (1st season)

DefensivecoordinatorMickey Conn (1st season)

Quick facts Samford Bulldogs football, Conference ...

2026 Samford Bulldogs football

Conference	Southern Conference
Record	1–5 (1–2 SoCon)
Head coach	John Grass (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Mickey Conn (1st season)
Home stadium	Pete Hanna Stadium
Seasons ← 2025 2027 →

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More information Conf., Overall ...

2026 Southern Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 24 East Tennessee State	3	–	0	5	–	2
No. 15 Tennessee Tech	3	–	1	5	–	1
Chattanooga	3	–	1	4	–	3
No. 20 Mercer	2	–	1	5	–	2
Wofford	2	–	2	4	–	3
Western Carolina	1	–	2	3	–	4
Furman	1	–	2	2	–	5
Samford	1	–	2	1	–	5
VMI	0	–	2	0	–	6
The Citadel	0	–	3	2	–	4

As of October 11, 2026 Rankings from STATS Poll

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The Bulldogs are led by first-year head coach John Grass. Grass was announced as Samford's 37th head football coach on December 3, 2025^[1] as he replaced the fired Chris Hatcher and his interim replacement Scot Sloan.^[2]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 29	6:00 p.m.	vs. North Alabama*	Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium Huntsville, AL (Story Financial Partners Bowl)	ESPN+	L 10–22	5,493
September 3	6:00 p.m.	Southern Illinois*	Pete Hanna Stadium Homewood, AL	ESPN+	L 18–22	6,713
September 12	6:00 p.m.	at No. 12 Tennessee Tech	Tucker Stadium Cookeville, TN	ESPN+	L 19–45	3,428
September 26	2:30 p.m.	VMI	Pete Hanna Stadium Homewood, AL	ESPN+	W 45–7	10,033
October 3	2:30 p.m.	at UAB*	Protective Stadium Birmingham, AL	ESPN+	L 14–33	22,126
October 10	12:00 p.m.	at Chattanooga	Finley Stadium Chattanooga, TN	ESPN+	L 3–19	3,308
October 17	6:00 p.m.	Mercer	Pete Hanna Stadium Homewood, AL	ESPN+
October 24	1:00 p.m.	at Furman	Paladin Stadium Greenville, SC	ESPN+
October 31	6:00 p.m.	Wofford	Pete Hanna Stadium Homewood, AL	ESPN+
November 7	12:00 p.m.	at East Tennessee State	William B. Greene Jr. Stadium Johnson City, TN	ESPN+
November 14	2:30 p.m.	Western Carolina	Pete Hanna Stadium Homewood, AL	ESPN+
November 21	2:30 p.m.	at Auburn*	Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL	SECN+
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

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^[3]

Game summaries

vs. North Alabama

North Alabama Lions (0–0) vs. Samford Bulldogs (0–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	0	16	0	6	22
Bulldogs	0	7	0	3	10

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at Joe W. Davis Stadium • Huntsville, Alabama

Date: August 29
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 91 °F (33 °C) • Wind: NW at 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h)
Game attendance: 5,493
Referee: Branden McCain
TV announcers (ESPN+): Benjamin Ray, Bryan Neece and Gyvan Hammons

More information Game information ...

Game information
First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter UNA – Xavier Johnson 95-yard pass from Destin Wade (Ian Vachon kick), 8:44. Lions 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 96 yards, 1:32. UNA – Team safety, 6:58. Lions 9–0. SAM – Marquise Henderson 86-yard pass from Gabarri Johnson (Ty Ippolito kick), 4:19. Lions 9–7. Drive: 1 play, 86 yards, 0:11. UNA – Roderick Taylor Jr. 3-yard run (Ian Vachon kick), 0:21. Lions 16–7. Drive: 13 plays, 88 yards, 3:58. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter SAM – Ty Ippolito 26-yard field goal, 14:53. Lions 16–10. Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards, 1:23. UNA – Ty Watkins 1-yard run (pass failed), 6:38. Lions 22–10. Drive: 10 plays, 91 yards, 4:49.

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

UNA – Xavier Johnson 95-yard pass from Destin Wade (Ian Vachon kick), 8:44. Lions 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 96 yards, 1:32.
UNA – Team safety, 6:58. Lions 9–0.
SAM – Marquise Henderson 86-yard pass from Gabarri Johnson (Ty Ippolito kick), 4:19. Lions 9–7. Drive: 1 play, 86 yards, 0:11.
UNA – Roderick Taylor Jr. 3-yard run (Ian Vachon kick), 0:21. Lions 16–7. Drive: 13 plays, 88 yards, 3:58.

Third quarter

No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

SAM – Ty Ippolito 26-yard field goal, 14:53. Lions 16–10. Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards, 1:23.
UNA – Ty Watkins 1-yard run (pass failed), 6:38. Lions 22–10. Drive: 10 plays, 91 yards, 4:49.

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More information Statistics, UNA ...

Statistics	UNA	SAM
First downs	10	15
Plays–yards	58–237	66–394
Rushes–yards	25–(-8)	47–165
Passing yards	245	229
Passing: comp–att–int	19–33–1	13–19–0
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	27:06	32:54

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Alabama	Passing	Gabarri Johnson	19/33, 245 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Keion Dunlap	2 carries, 4 yards
	Receiving	Marquise Henderson	5 receptions, 151 yards, TD
Samford	Passing	Destin Wade	13/19, 229 yards, TD
	Rushing	Jalen Fletcher	11 carries, 79 yards
	Receiving	Xavier Johnson	5 receptions, 129 yards, TD

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Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois Salukis (0–1) at Samford Bulldogs (0–1) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Salukis	9	6	0	7	22
Bulldogs	0	7	8	3	18

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at Pete Hanna Stadium • Homewood, Alabama

Date: September 3
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 93 °F (34 °C)
Game attendance: 6,713
Referee: Bruce Austin
TV: ESPN+

More information Game information ...

Game information
First quarter SIU – Karsen Konkel 2-yard pass from Jake Curry (Seth Adams kick), 10:47. Salukis 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:13. SIU – Team safety, 7:48. Salukis 9–0. Second quarter SAM – Cayden Aukerman 5-yard pass from Gabarri Johnson (Ty Ippolito kick), 8:13. Salukis 9–7. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 4:02. SIU – Miles Marshall 7-yard pass from Jake Curry (pass failed), 0:34. Salukis 15–7. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 3:30. Third quarter SAM – Cayden Aukerman 5-yard pass from Gabarri Johnson (Gabarri Johnson–Cayden Aukerman pass), 2:18. Tied 15–15. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:08. Fourth quarter SIU – Lem Wash 3-yard run (Seth Adams kick), 10:50. Salukis 22–15. Drive: 4 plays, 23 yards, 2:13. SAM – Ty Ippolito 42-yard field goal, 6:42. Salukis 22–18. Drive: 12 plays, 50 yards, 4:08.

Game information

First quarter

SIU – Karsen Konkel 2-yard pass from Jake Curry (Seth Adams kick), 10:47. Salukis 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:13.
SIU – Team safety, 7:48. Salukis 9–0.

Second quarter

SAM – Cayden Aukerman 5-yard pass from Gabarri Johnson (Ty Ippolito kick), 8:13. Salukis 9–7. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 4:02.
SIU – Miles Marshall 7-yard pass from Jake Curry (pass failed), 0:34. Salukis 15–7. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 3:30.

Third quarter

SAM – Cayden Aukerman 5-yard pass from Gabarri Johnson (Gabarri Johnson–Cayden Aukerman pass), 2:18. Tied 15–15. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:08.

Fourth quarter

SIU – Lem Wash 3-yard run (Seth Adams kick), 10:50. Salukis 22–15. Drive: 4 plays, 23 yards, 2:13.
SAM – Ty Ippolito 42-yard field goal, 6:42. Salukis 22–18. Drive: 12 plays, 50 yards, 4:08.

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More information Statistics, SIU ...

Statistics	SIU	SAM
First downs	18	15
Plays–yards	72–334	63–272
Rushes–yards	43–181	27–70
Passing yards	153	202
Passing: comp–att–int	13–29–0	21–36–1
Turnovers	0	1
Time of possession	32:34	27:26

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Southern Illinois	Passing	Jake Curry	13/29, 153 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Chandler Chapman	24 carries, 133 yards
	Receiving	Markell Quick	3 receptions, 47 yards
Samford	Passing	Gabarri Johnson	20/35, 156 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Ken Cherry	7 carries, 44 yards
	Receiving	Preston Bird	3 receptions, 63 yards

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at No. 12 Tennessee Tech

Samford Bulldogs (0–2) at No. 12 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (2–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	3	6	10	0	19
No. 12 Golden Eagles	14	17	14	0	45

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at Tucker Stadium • Cookeville, Tennessee

Date: September 12
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C)
Game attendance: 3,428
Referee: Jake Grombach
TV announcers (ESPN+): Jacob Vinson (play-by-play) and Sam Brooks (analyst)

More information Game information ...

Game information
First quarter TNTC – Tre Holloway 48-yard pass from Jax Leatherwood (Carter Brown kick), 12:18. Golden Eagles 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:48. TNTC – Qua Ashley 56-yard run (Carter Brown kick), 8:20. Golden Eagles 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:37. SAM – Ty Ippolito 54-yard field goal, 4:07. Golden Eagles 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 39 yards, 4:13. Second quarter TNTC – Tre Holloway 43-yard pass from Jax Leatherwood (Carter Brown kick), 12:43. Golden Eagles 21–3. Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 2:17. TNTC – Tre Holloway 4-yard run (Carter Brown kick), 8:48. Golden Eagles 28–3. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 4:31. SAM – Ty Ippolito 22-yard field goal, 4:55. Golden Eagles 28–6. Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 3:53. TNTC – Carter Brown 49-yard field goal, 1:01. Golden Eagles 31–6. Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 3:54. SAM – Ty Ippolito 58-yard field goal, 0:02. Golden Eagles 31–9. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 1:01. Third quarter SAM – Ty Ippolito 28-yard field goal, 11:28. Golden Eagles 31–12. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 3:32. TNTC – Tre Holloway 76-yard punt return (Carter Brown kick), 7:29. Golden Eagles 38–12. SAM – Gabarri Johnson 7-yard run (Ty Ippolito kick), 3:55. Golden Eagles 38–19. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:34. TNTC – Joe Hall III 0-yard fumble return (Carter Brown kick), 0:51. Golden Eagles 45–19. Fourth quarter No scoring plays.

Game information

First quarter

TNTC – Tre Holloway 48-yard pass from Jax Leatherwood (Carter Brown kick), 12:18. Golden Eagles 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:48.
TNTC – Qua Ashley 56-yard run (Carter Brown kick), 8:20. Golden Eagles 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:37.
SAM – Ty Ippolito 54-yard field goal, 4:07. Golden Eagles 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 39 yards, 4:13.

Second quarter

TNTC – Tre Holloway 43-yard pass from Jax Leatherwood (Carter Brown kick), 12:43. Golden Eagles 21–3. Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 2:17.
TNTC – Tre Holloway 4-yard run (Carter Brown kick), 8:48. Golden Eagles 28–3. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 4:31.
SAM – Ty Ippolito 22-yard field goal, 4:55. Golden Eagles 28–6. Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 3:53.
TNTC – Carter Brown 49-yard field goal, 1:01. Golden Eagles 31–6. Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 3:54.
SAM – Ty Ippolito 58-yard field goal, 0:02. Golden Eagles 31–9. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 1:01.

Third quarter

SAM – Ty Ippolito 28-yard field goal, 11:28. Golden Eagles 31–12. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 3:32.
TNTC – Tre Holloway 76-yard punt return (Carter Brown kick), 7:29. Golden Eagles 38–12.
SAM – Gabarri Johnson 7-yard run (Ty Ippolito kick), 3:55. Golden Eagles 38–19. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:34.
TNTC – Joe Hall III 0-yard fumble return (Carter Brown kick), 0:51. Golden Eagles 45–19.

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays.

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More information Statistics, SAM ...

Statistics	SAM	TNTC
First downs	32	18
Plays–yards	75–320	54–409
Rushes–yards	25–39	32–180
Passing yards	281	229
Passing: comp–att–int	24–50–0	15–22–0
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	30:02	29:58

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Samford	Passing	Gabarri Johnson	23/49, 245 yards
	Rushing	Ken Cherry	5 carries, 21 yards
	Receiving	Cayden Aukerman	3 receptions, 73 yards
Tennessee Tech	Passing	Jax Leatherwood	15/22, 229 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Qua Ashley	5 carries, 81 yards, TD
	Receiving	Tre Holloway	6 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD

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VMI

VMI Keydets (0–4) at Samford Bulldogs (0–3) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Keydets	0	0	0	0	0
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0

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at Pete Hanna Stadium • Homewood, Alabama

Date: September 26
Game time: 2:30 p.m.
Game attendance: 10,033
TV: ESPN+

More information Game information ...

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

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More information Statistics, VMI ...

Statistics	VMI	SAM
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
VMI	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Samford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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at UAB (FBS)

Samford Bulldogs (1–3) at UAB Blazers (2–2) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0
Blazers (FBS)	0	0	0	0	0

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at Protective Stadium • Birmingham, Alabama

Date: October 3
Game time: 2:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN+

More information Game information ...

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

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More information Statistics, SAM ...

Statistics	SAM	UAB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Samford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
UAB	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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at Chattanooga

Samford Bulldogs (1–4) at Chattanooga Mocs (3–2) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0
Mocs	0	0	0	0	0

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at Finley Stadium • Chattanooga, Tennessee

Date: October 10
Game time: 12:00 p.m.

More information Game information ...

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

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More information Statistics, SAM ...

Statistics	SAM	UTC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Samford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Chattanooga	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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Mercer

Mercer Bears (5–2) at Samford Bulldogs (1–5) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	0	0	0
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0

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at Pete Hanna Stadium • Homewood, AL

Date: October 17
Game time: 6:00 p.m.

More information Statistics, MER ...

Statistics	MER	SAM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Mercer	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Samford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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at Furman

Samford Bulldogs (0–0) at Furman Paladins (2–5) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0
Paladins	0	0	0	0	0

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at Paladin Stadium • Greenville, SC

Date: October 24
Game time: 1:00 p.m.

More information Game information ...

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

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More information Statistics, SAM ...

Statistics	SAM	FUR
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Samford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Furman	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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Wofford

Wofford Terriers (0–0) at Samford Bulldogs (0–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Terriers	0	0	0	0	0
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0

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at Pete Hanna Stadium • Homewood, AL

Date: October 31
Game time: 6:00 p.m.

More information Statistics, WOF ...

Statistics	WOF	SAM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Wofford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Samford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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at East Tennessee State

Samford Bulldogs (0–0) at East Tennessee State Buccaneers (0–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0
Mocs	0	0	0	0	0

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at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium • Johnson City, Tennessee

Date: November 7
Game time: 12:00 p.m.

More information Game information ...

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

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More information Statistics, SAM ...

Statistics	SAM	ETSU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Samford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
East Tennessee State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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Mercer

Western Carolina Catamounts (0–0) at Samford Bulldogs (0–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Catamounts	0	0	0	0	0
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0

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at Pete Hanna Stadium • Homewood, AL

Date: November 14
Game time: 2:30 p.m.

More information Statistics, WCU ...

Statistics	WCU	SAM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Samford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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at Auburn (FBS)

Samford Bulldogs (0–0) at Auburn Tigers (0–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0
Tigers (FBS)	0	0	0	0	0

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at Jordan Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: November 21
Game time: 2:30 p.m.

More information Game information ...

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

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More information Statistics, SAM ...

Statistics	SAM	AUB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Samford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Auburn	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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2026 Samford Bulldogs football team

Schedule

Game summaries

vs. North Alabama

Southern Illinois

at No. 12 Tennessee Tech

VMI

at UAB (FBS)

at Chattanooga

Mercer

at Furman

Wofford

at East Tennessee State

Mercer

at Auburn (FBS)

References

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